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Australia

North-west Brisbane traffic and transport study draws heated debate between Labor state, LNP local governments

Line of cars stuck in traffic on suburban road

Queensland’s Transport Minister has described Brisbane City Council’s latest vision for a new toll road to relieve congestion in the city’s north-west as a “feeble fantasy” and a “farce”.

The six-lane tunnel, which would run between Bald Hills and connect with the Airport Link at Kedron, was part of the outcome of a $10 million federally-funded study undertaken over two years by the council.

It found northern Brisbane’s annual congestion and public transport crowding was costing $312 million per year.

That would rise to $538.5m by 2031 and $859m by 2041.

The study found significant community opposition towards any surface road or rail development through the North West Transport Corridor, which had been reserved by the state government since the 1980s.

Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey speaks to the media at a press conference on the Gold Coast on April 10, 2018.
Mr Bailey says the council had to cancel big projects yet released a study which recommended multi-billion-dollar road network infrastructure builds.(ABC News: Ashleigh Stevenson)

But Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the major toll road had been costed with “no funding, no consultation with other levels of government, and no idea how to fix congestion.”

He also criticized the council’s decision to cut projects in its June budget, citing the cost of rebuilding from February’s floods, yet unveil billions of dollars in new road infrastructure via the north-west transport study.

“Only a month ago, Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner was saying the council was broke and had to cut a lot of projects citywide and now they have a plan to spend $25 billion on new tollways and motorways,” Mr Bailey said.

“It is very clear this tired 20-year-old council is out of touch and out of ideas.

Man with light blonde hair stands at reading with microphones
Cr Schrinner has defended the study saying it offered solutions to a growing problem.(ABC News: Alicia Nally)

“Recently, Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner cut the North Brisbane Bikeway, cut upgrades to Mowbray Park, and refused to pay a fair share for the Cooper Plains level crossing removal because they are so broke, and yet here he is spending like a drunken sailor with his ridiculous $14 billion toll road plan.

“The state government had no input into the study that was funded by the former Morrison Government despite the state government owning the corridor which shows what a farce this announcement is.

“The immediate focus should be on upgrading services on Gympie Road, which we are already doing through the $72 million Northern Transitway project which we are fully funded.

“The study entirely ignores that project.

“Tell the Lord Mayor he is dreaming.”

‘Doing nothing not an option’

Yet, Cr Schrinner said the council had “done some planning work to assist” in reducing congestion in a burgeoning part of the city.

He also hit back at the state for setting aside land and not using it to improve transport networks.

artist impression of Gympie Rd transport upgrade
An artist’s impression shows a Gympie Rd precinct as part of north-west transport corridor improvement.(Supplied: Brisbane City Council)

“We’re concerned about what we see as a black hole for investment for infrastructure from the state government for the north-west suburbs,” Cr Schrinner said.

“That land was intended to be a transport corridor yet it has disappeared from any infrastructure plans and residents are asking what is going to happen in the north-western suburbs. The area is growing and there are no plans from the state government coming out.

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Australia

North-west Brisbane transport woes could be solved by tunnel, bus network, study shows

artist impression of Gympie Rd transport upgrade

The viability of a tunnel stretching nearly 12 kilometers from Bald Hills to Kedron and costing at least $9.5 billion is being investigated.

The six-lane tunnel, which would connect with the Airport Link, was part of the outcome of a $10 million federally-funded study undertaken over two years by Brisbane City Council.

It found northern Brisbane’s annual congestion and public transport crowding was costing $312 million per year.

That would rise to $538.5 million by 2031 and $859 million by 2041.

The study found significant community opposition towards any surface road or rail development through the North West Transport Corridor, which had been reserved by the state government since the 1980s.

A map showing the North West Transport corridor stretching from Everton Park north to Carseldine.
The North West Transport Corridor runs from Everton Park to Carseldine and is owned by the Queensland Government.(Supplied: Brisbane City Council)

Stretching from Carseldine to Alderley and including the Chermside Hills Reserve, the land was a “significant biodiversity corridor” likely to contain a number of observed threatened species, the study.

The North West Transport Network study investigated several underground alternatives, including a motorway and heavy rail option, as well as complementary above-ground bus and active transport solutions.

Bus network, another tunnel costed

Brisbane Civic Cabinet Chair for Infrastructure Andrew Wines said all levels of government needed to work together on transport solutions for Brisbane’s north.

“This study demonstrates that doing nothing isn’t an option,” Mr Wines said.

“Brisbane is the fastest growing capital city in the country and our northern neighbors in Moreton Bay are also growing quickly.

The study also assessed building a complementary Bus Rapid Transport system along Gympie Road from the Northern Busway at Kedron to Aspley at a cost of between $758 million and $1.1 billion.

A longer-term option of extending the underground motorway with an 11 kilometer tunnel from McDowall to Toowong by 2041 was also considered.

That tunnel was cost at between $7.8 billion and $11.5 billion.

Brisbane City Council Labor leader Jared Cassidy said Brisbane’s LNP council had announced a multi-billion dollar proposal “without saying when it will be funded”.

“It’s a bit rich for [Brisbane Mayor] Adrian Schrinner to put forward a multi-billion dollar proposal when his administration can’t even complete their own projects,” Mr Cassidy said.

“If this LNP administration can’t finish the North Brisbane Bikeway – how can it propose a multi-billion dollar plan for this North West motorway?

He said it was a proposal for a tolled tunnel.

“This is a backflip from the LNP,” he said.

“It is there in black and white – that the North West motorway will have tolled options considered.

“This plan is meant to be a missing link for the motorway network – but this council is missing the mark.”

Call for government cooperation

Mr Wines said the study had been sent to the federal and state governments, as well as Infrastructure Australia, for consideration.

“Clearly what has been put forward in this study is far beyond the means of local government,” he said.

“We are eager to talk further with the state and federal government about these proposals and hear about any other ideas they might have to deal with northern Brisbane’s transport needs.”

He said the study showed the economic cost of north Brisbane’s congestion would be $1.5 million a day within a decade which was “totally unacceptable”.

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Australia

Launceston’s Albert Van Zetten the 10th major not standing in October poll

A man wearing a suit smiles at the camera.

Launceston mayor Albert Van Zetten is the latest in a string of Tasmanian mayors to announce they won’t run in upcoming local government elections, taking the total quitting to 10.

Most of those who are part of the exodus say they are retiring or stepping down for personal reasons.

Newcomers set to be elected in October face a changing local government landscape as compulsory voting is introduced, non-ratepayers are allowed to have their say for the first time and a state government review of the sector continues.

The majority of the mayors not re-contesting are based in the north and north-west of the state: Annette Rockliff in Devonport, King Island’s Julie Arnold, Flinders Island’s Annie Revie, Waratah-Wynyard’s Robby Walsh, Circular Head’s Daryl Quilliam, Tim Wilson from Kentish, and Central Coast major Jan Bonde.

A man and a woman stand in the sun smiling
Albert Van Zetten announced the decision with his wife Lyndal on Sunday. (ABC News: Jessica Moran )

Albert Van Zetten was first elected as mayor to Tasmania’s second biggest city in 2005, and said he now wants to spend more time with his family.

“I’ve been very thankful for the opportunity I’ve had to serve this beautiful city, and it’s been an amazing time,” he said.

“My case is it’s my time to go. It’s not got anything to do with what the other mayors are doing. If their time is up, then it’s their time up.”

In the south of the state Doug Chipman is retiring as major of Clarence.

He has been in the top job for 11 years and has said “it’s time for a change”.

Bec Enders stepped down as Huon Valley Council Mayor earlier in the year amid the controversy over the hiring of general manager Jason Browne.

Huon Valley Major Bec Enders smiles at the camera.
Huon Valley Mayor Bec Enders quit the role in March after months of community backlash over a controversial recruitment process for general manager.(ABC News: Luke Bowden)

President of the Local Government Association of Tasmania Christina Holmdahl said it was not abnormal to have a large number of mayors leaving.

“It’s something that happens about every second or third council election.”

“The majority have been mayors for quite some time, and almost all of them are standing down for personal reasons. They believe they’ve made a contribution,” she said.

“They also believe that maybe it’s time for new energy, new ideas in their municipality.”

A middle-aged woman standing in front of a window wearing a black shirt and red jacket.
King Island Major Julie Arnold has chosen not to recontest the position after just one term in the top job.(ABC News: Sarah Abbott)

Major voting changes on the way

With the introduction of compulsory voting for the October elections, Minister for Local Government Nic Street said he hoped it would bring more quality candidates to council.

“I hope that compulsory voting leads to more people putting their hand up to run if they think that they’re going to be held accountable by the whole community and not just the people who would normally vote at local government elections.”

“We’re committed to strengthening local government as best we can, and the best way to strengthen it is by having multiple candidates in every municipality so that people have got a legitimate choice to make come October.”

Mr Van Zetten said he welcomes compulsory voting.

“I’m sad I’m not running in a way because of the compulsory voting. I think it’s better for incumbents.”

“The time that I’ve had my closest vote, which was three votes (between him and the next candidate), many people said to me ‘I didn’t vote for you because I thought you were a shoe-in.”

A woman wearing red glasses sits at a desk
Christina Holmdahl, president of the Local Government Association of Tasmania, March 2022.(ABC News: Jessica Moran)

Christina Holmdahl from Tasmania’s Local Government Association said she thought there were still some issues to work through when it came to voting in local government elections.

“It’s still going to be a postal vote, so there are still those issues of letters not being delivered, people have changed addresses and haven’t updated their electoral roll.”

It will also be the first time local government elections are open to everyone over 18, not just ratepayers.

“I think it’s going to be quite interesting as a result of that.”

She was hopeful the changes wouldn’t stop new people from running for older.

“We hope all the new incoming councilors have the commitment and the vision that the retiring mayors have had, and they’ll enjoy what they get out of local government.”

Code of conduct questions

A 12-month local government review is underway, which includes an examination of its code of conduct.

The code has been in the spotlight this year after a number of controversies including when a Kingborough council meeting descended into unrest in June, the fact a council had no power to sack a councilor convicted of sexual offences. and the code of conduct investigation into the Huon Valley general manager’s appointment.

A woman sits at a table, pointing at the door
Kingborough Council deputy Major Jo Westwood attempting to eject Councilor David Grace from a council meeting on June 6. (Supplied: Kingborough Council)

Nic Street says the review is about strengthening local government even further.

“It’s looking at the service, delivery, and functions of local government. What they do well, and perhaps what services should be delivered by a different tier of government.”

“At the end of that, we’ll look at the reforms that have been suggested by the local board of review.”

Ms Holmdahl says the next stage of the review, set to finish at the end of the year, should be extended to allow more people to have their say on local government.

“The community has had an opportunity to express their concerns or their suggestions about how local government could be better, and they have been noted.”

“I guess what’s disappointing is the very low level of input from the community. It was 0.34% of the voting population that actually took part.”

She said she was hoping to come to an arrangement with Mr Street to extend the next stage of the review until March.

“That will also cover the fact that after October this year, there may be new councilors that are not familiar even with the process, so we believe that there’s a period of time needed for the new councilors to familiarize themselves with the process as well. “

Mr Street said there was potential to extend the review.

“That’s a conversation that we’re continuing to have with the local government sector at the moment.”

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Australia

Maribyrnong City Council to remove 12 trees from Bunbury Street, angering residents

A sign of front gate saying 'council kills trees' in red with a dog peaking around the side.

A dozen heritage-listed trees in Footscray have been marked for removal by Maribyrnong City Council (MCC) after reports they posed a risk to public safety.

Some 54 English elm and desert ash line Bunbury Street in the Melbourne suburb, with the eldest trees planted about 120 years ago.

But residents believed MCC was unnecessarily removing some trees and were only informed about the plans days before work was expected to start.

Local Footscray Ronch Willner said the move had sparked anger.

“Last week they sent notifications to a few residents about the removal works that have started today,” he said.

“Because of the poor community consultation, the community has started to read the reports and have started to [realise] … they’ve been selectively removing the trees over the years without notifying the residents.”

A street with cars parked on either side and large leafy green trees in the nature strip.
Residents say they want to see the heritage-listed trees remain.(Supplied: Martin Stockfeld)

Mr Willner said the community, which wanted its green spaces preserved, understood the safety risks the trees could pose.

But he said the community felt MCC was unnecessarily removing some of the trees.

Mr Willner said a juvenile tree (number 51) that was flagged in the arborist reports as “needing watering” was removed by the council without notice.

A report from the MCC flagged the decline in the trees’ health was in part due to infrastructure and management of the canopies, and stated three trees had already been removed.

Many trees, according to the report, would also need to be removed in the future as they continued to grow, with their roots possibly becoming damaged by the kerbside.

A screenshot of a report showing to photos of trees growing into the gutter of a street.
Some trees may be removed because they are growing too close to the kerb.(Supplied: Maribyrnong City Council)

Trees ‘could not be saved’

MCC chief executive officer Celia Haddock said the trees were putting the street’s residents and visitors at risk and “could not be saved.”

“Two mature elms collapsed during a severe wind event last year,” she said.

“Their failure prompted MCC to proactively assess and remove only those identified as being in poor structural condition to mitigate any future risk to the public.”

Plans to replace the trees have not been confirmed, but Ms Haddock said the council would be “working with local residents on a tree-planting renewal plan”.

Community members have since started an online petition in the hope MCC will rethink the trees’ removal.

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Australia

Adelaide City Council renames laneway in honor of musician Paul Kelly

Paul Kelly and his girlfriend stand plus two women next to a plaque explaining the naming of his lane

Adelaide City Council is renaming a laneway after singer-songwriter Paul Kelly, with the music icon saying he is “honoured” by the gesture.

The newly named Paul Kelly Lane runs from Flinders Street to Pirie Street, behind the Adelaide Town Hall.

It features a series of artworks that light up and contain lyrics from various Paul Kelly songs.

Kelly was born and raised in the Adelaide suburb of Norwood and several of his songs reference places in the city.

“I’m honored to be a part of this musical laneway project and I’m glad the lane is so close to the Adelaide Town Hall where I’ve had an association for over 50 years, from playing trumpet at school speech nights, attending concerts and, later on, doing my own shows,” he said.

Adelaide Lord Mayor Sandy Verschoor said Paul Kelly Lane — previously called Pilgrim Lane, after a church next to it — would become a destination for his fans.

“Our city has an incredible musical history and Paul Kelly is an icon,” she said.

“We have such great musicians who come from this city and continue to come from this city.”

A street sign that says Paul Kelly Lane
Pilgrim Lane was renamed in honor of Kelly as part of the City of Music program.(ABC NewsRichard Davies)

South Australian artist Heidi Kenyon created the “love” light boxes along the laneway which quote some of Kelly’s famous songs.

“Really it’s just thinking about different forms of love and I guess love as a theme in song writing,” she said.

“For me, Paul Kelly speaks to love and friendship and kinship.

“I wanted it to be accessible and for people to be able to walk past and piece together some of the lyrics.”

Adelaide has been championing its musical history by naming several laneways after artists with ties to the city.

“The city of Adelaide is committed to celebrating Adelaide’s status as a world UNESCO City of Music,” Ms Verschoor said.

“Paul Kelly is the fourth City of Music laneway to be officially opened.

“We have Sia Furler, Cold Chisel, No Fixed Address [and] now Paul Kelly and the Angels will be joining. And I just said to Paul we will make a laneway for Archie Roach and Ruby Hunter.”

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Play Video. Duration: 5 minutes 32 seconds

Paul Kelly sings his classic How to Make Gravy on News Breakfast last year.(abcnews)

The Angels will be the next band to be honoured, with a lane off Gawler Place being renamed in their honour.

A lane in the western part of the CBD was named after Cold Chisel in March as part of the council’s planned City of Music Laneways Trail.

Lindes Lane, off Rundle Mall, was renamed No Fixed Address Lane earlier that month, after the Aboriginal reggae rock band that formed in Adelaide in 1979.

Sia Furler Lane, off Morphett Street, was also renamed in March.

Adelaide’s CBD also has a Don Lane and North Adelaide has a Lois Lane.

Melbourne renamed AC/DC Lane in 2004.

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Australia

Coober Pedy council to remain in administration pending government decisions for town’s future

Coober Pedy council to remain in administration pending government decisions for town's future

Coober Pedy is gearing up for council elections that in all likelihood will not be held.

Tim Jackson was appointed to administer the council in January 2019 after its elected members were suspended, a decision taken by the former state government in response to soaring debts and maladministration.

“A council is required to prepare a supplementary role of voters,” Mr Jackson said.

“We have done that and this is due to the fact that legislation to delay elections in Coober Pedy has not been introduced into the parliament yet but the local government minister has indicated that it is his intention to do so.”

Mr Jackson has proposed four models for a return to democratic governance, with his preferred option being a $12 million purchase of the town’s electricity and water utilities by the state government.

“This would enable the council to clear its debt obligations of approximately $10 million,” he said.

Coober Pedy’s local MP Eddie Hughes said the town needed government assistance to regain equality for its residents.

Two men in front of a ute in Coober Pedy.
Eddie Hughes recently visited Coober Pedy to meet with locals including opal shop owner Bill Korbetis.(Supplied: Eddie Hughes)

“We don’t expect any council in the state to exclusively manage water supply or provide retail electricity and distribution, yet we’ve placed this burden on one of our more remote communities,” Mr Hughes said.

“We need to shrink the council down to basic municipal services and that means addressing the issue of what to do with the supply of water and also the distribution of electricity.”

desperate for investment

Local business owner Melissa Georgianoudis has lived in Coober Pedy for more than 30 years and said that residents are desperate for a change.

“The town is tired and people notice it when they come through,” Ms Georgianoudis said.

“The potholes that never get fixed, the rubbish that doesn’t get picked up: It’s hard not to feel like nobody is listening.”

A sign saying Coober Pedy similar to the Hollywood sign.
The town’s “Hollywood” sign recently had its lighting restored.(ABC News: Patrick Martin)

Coober Pedy’s council owned water network is in urgent need of repair.

“There are fountains everywhere from leaks in the water system, I have no water pressure in my house,” Ms Georgianoudis said.

“Prices for everything are going up but there’s no money going back into the town and it’s driving people away.”

Shrinking oasis worth saving

More than 200 residents have left the opal city over the last five years according to national census data, however the town remains a multicultural mecca in the desert.

Sri Lankan migrant and eight-year resident Dilusha Fernando said Coober Pedy’s services made it an ideal place to raise a family.

“I feel really happy, especially with the child care,” Mr Fernando said.

“I would definitely say it really is a good environment to raise a child here because I can see that for my child, she’s 18 months now.”

Family portrait of mother, father and young girl.
Dilusha says Coober Pedy is a great place to raise his daughter Ayana.(Supplied: Dilusha Fernando)

The town has a reputation in Australia’s migrant community for its welcoming and friendly attitude.

“It’s like a big family up here I reckon, I’ve met so many people and they’re all very nice,” Mr Fernando said.

“Whoever left Coober Pedy never said a word about any bad stuff here, everyone’s like, yeah it’s a good place to start a life.”

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Australia

Northern Grampians Major Tony Driscoll dies after illness

Northern Grampians Major Tony Driscoll dies after illness

Senior Grampians Tony Driscoll is being remembered as a ‘wonderful’ community member after he died over the weekend.

Cr Driscoll started his third stint as major of the Northern Grampians Shire Council last year but sadly passed away on Sunday after battling illness.

Fellow councilor Murray Emerson said he was devastated by the news.

“Tony and I first came together about 11 years ago when we joined the Northern Grampians Shire and we instantly took a liking to each other,” Cr Emerson said.

“[It] It wasn’t hard to get along with Tony Driscoll, he was a person who was very easy to become a friend with.”

Cr Driscoll represented the Kara Kara ward, taking in St Arnaud, since October 2012 and remained active with the council until his death.

He has served as major three times, with his most recent appointment beginning in November 2021.

Cr Driscoll was also the oldest from 2016 to 2017 and from 2017 to 2018.

A group photo of six men and one woman in business attire in front of a large wooden door and orange walls. All are smiling.
Murray Emerson (far left) says Tony Driscoll (far right) played a key role in major council projects and helped secure government funding.(Supplied: Northern Grampians Shire Council)

Leader who fought for region

In council statement, his colleagues remembered Cr Driscoll for his dedication, integrity and as “a passionate advocate for his community”.

Cr Emerson said Cr Driscoll campaigned the state government for funding for major projects like the Grampians Peaks Trail, the Underground Physics Laboratory, and was involved in their decision-making.

“Tony was part and parcel of all of that and he just had that way about him, that he could get people to agree with some of our requests,” Cr Emerson said.

“Tony had a lot of sayings, some of them that I could quote and some I couldn’t, but Tony was just easy to get along with.

“He was a wonderful person, he was a wonderful councillor, and he was a great mate.

“He’d been sick for a little while but you never expect this sort of thing to happen.”

Flags at Stawell Town Hall in Stawell and St Arnaud would be flown at half-mast and council meetings postponed until August 15 while councilors respected a period of mourning.

Cr Driscoll is survived by his wife Annette, two sons, two daughters and his grandchildren.

4 people, two with hats, one with a blue plaid shirt hold their framed awards, while 4 men and woman (councillors) stand behind
Tony Driscoll (back left) is remembered for being a proactive advocate for the community.(Supplied: Northern Grampians Shire Council)

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